Shagging: The Official Dance of the Carolinas

One of my goals this semester is to learn how to shag. Shagging is the state dance of the Carolinas and it looks like fun. At first I thought it looked silly, but as I've seen it more at school functions, it seems pretty tough. From what I've heard, it's just a few steps that are repeated. In the dance, you never move the same foot twice, and that's (I think) the most fundamental idea of the dance. Shag lessons are offered everywhere here, and there's even a 1 credit class you can take through school at our workout facility, just for fun! Every Thursday a local Jillian's offers a shag night where they have college students and professionals teaching shag to all the newbies. Another great thing about shagging (at least for me) is that you are encouraged to wear flat shoes since there's so much shuffling-like movements. I like a dance where you don't have to be all proper and stuff and wear heels like ballroom and all the stuff you see on Dancing with the Stars. One website even says, "Your feet should nearly shuffle when you move them across the floor, as if your shoes were magnets and the floor was made out of metal", which is a neat thought. Take a look at the 2009 Shag nationals:



I also love this video. These are kids from the Junior national Shag competition, and I feel like if they can do it as awkward teens (really they are absolutely anything BUT awkward, that preteen boy is smooth actually) I could do it as an awkward college student. Look at these two:



I will definitely let you know how the lofty goal of mine goes. For now at least, I'm going to stick to watching the professionals on YouTube!!

Please let me know if any of you know how to shag!!! Any tips are appreciated!

PS. I think we've finally hit the nice weather for real. The rest of the week has high's in the mid-to-upper 50's so I'm thinking it will be full blown WARM weather by the time Spring Break finishes!! Yes!!

xxKatie